The Barangka Municipal Cemetery in Marikina City. Karen de Guzman, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA -- The exhumed tombs in Barangka Municipal Cemetery in Marikina City were reportedly sold to outsiders, according to the Marikina LGU. 

During the inspection on All Souls' Day, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro disclosed that some individuals interred in the cemetery are not residents of the city.

He claims that the former cemetery administrator unlawfully sold gravesites, which led to the illegal exhumation of remains found at the cemetery. 

READ: Marikina LGU vows help to families whose relatives were illegally exhumed

“Nakita namin ‘yung mga nagpapalibing nanggagaling pa sa ibang lugar sa Quezon City, sa Pasig na dapat itong sementeryong ito ay para sa mga residente ng Marikina. Hindi alam ng mga taga-ibang lugar na nabibiktima sila, na binibenta sa kanila ‘yung nitso,” Teodoro said.

More families Reported illegal exhumations of their relatives’ remains on Saturday.

Jessie Atibagos said that they were surprised to see a new tomb placed over their father’s and nephew’s gravesite. 

The caretaker informed them that the remains had been relocated to a different burial site and that the original tomb had already been sold. 

“Nakarating sa’min na nagbayad ng P20,000 ‘yung naglibing. Sa halagang P20,000, nilapastangan ‘yung nitso ng magulang ko. Napakasakit ‘yun para sa amin,” Atibagos expressed in dismay.

They complained about not being informed of the unlawful exhumation and raised doubts regarding whether the remains found at the new site truly belong to their loved ones. 

Fresh graves: Illegal Marikina exhumations done 3 years after burial

“Kasi hindi namin nakita paglipat and nakita namin nandun lang, hindi namin alam kung may laman o wala. Kung pupwedeng mabuksan kasi makikilala namin kung dalawang bungo, ‘yun nga ‘yun,” he said.

The Marikina LGU will file additional charges of neglect of duty and estafa against the former cemetery administrator and his accomplices.

Earlier, a mass was offered to honor the remains affected by the illegal exhumation.

They also blessed the area where the sacks containing the remains were found.

In response to the incident, the LGU will implement improvements at the cemetery, including the establishment of free cremation services, a columbarium, and additional space for an ossuary.